Monday, February 19, 2018

The perfect choice

I let go of controlling the morning and expecting everything to be perfect. I told God He was in charge of the small gathering of ladies in my home.

Viewing the family portrait, the ladies all commented on how lovely it was. And the setting looked so real. I had invited them over for coffee and conversation. Discussing our difficult situations and moving forward. It was a lovely time of fellowship.

How timely that we engaged in conversation about the cut and paste family on the wall as we discussed our difficulties.

The back drop was a real park setting, it wasn't in a studio. I had worked hard on organizing the perfect day that would work for all of us.

My daughter and I just smiled at each other. When the ladies were quiet I told them that was one hell of a day. They wondered why.

My husband and I had a major argument a few days before. Being distraught, my daughter could hardly show up. We both were an emotional mess. I encouraged her to let go as I did and show up.

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new thought: Two years prior to that photo shoot. I tried hard to get the whole fam damily to agree on a family portrait to commemorate the Olympics. Didn't happen. I had booked a photographer and a date. I called to tell her I would be the only one showing up that day. We had a blast. The photographer and I walking around my home town with my bag of props. I did it just for me because I could. It cost me only $150.00 Money well spent. I look at those photos when I feel discouraged or disappointed. It inspires me to let go of toxic negative emotions.

Had my family agreed to my original idea we'd have a happy family on the wall. Not a cut and paste family!

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When it was time for my daughter's to go to the studio to view the results of our family portrait. We each commented that we liked our face better in this scene not that scene or I don't like my grandsons bright orange runner laces. Then she would cut and paste or change the color. It was amazing. We ended looking like the perfect family in the perfect setting for only $1000.00!

Without knowing the details you too would think it was a lovely family portrait.

I then said, "I look like a statue". My daughter responded with, "Yes Mom you definitely are a statue in that photo. And you can see the rigidness in me too."

How about this cut & paste budgie/tiger?

Since that portrait there are 4 new grandchildren.

Time for another portrait! I don't think we'll do the cut and paste thing. I'd like to do a more relaxed walk around town taking candid photos.

Next time you see a family portrait in a store front window. Think about what it took the mother to get her family to show up above and beyond the call of duty, cooperating in a color scheme of clothing to bout, with a bunch of rebels.

How about you. Are you able to show up under difficulty? Are you discouraged or disappointed? If it's going to happen it's going to take you to make it happen. Do it for you, just because you can. God will give you the strength. Trust and Believe in you.

The bible says: God does not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and self discipline.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Why, you might ask? For teaching me to not be overcome by being offended. When I take offence, I'm putting the focus on me, not God. My emotions can not be trusted

It is so easy to take offence to something someone said or something someone did or didn't do. Life is full of reasons to be offended.

Being offended my emotions really take me down. I'm overcome with life and how a loved one treats me. My Big G knows all about it. When I'm offended I stop writing? My inspiration gets buried deep within me and depression rises up.

Discovering how to let go of anger, resentment, jealousy and bitterness has encouraged me. Because the consequence of being offended brings division, separation and broken relationships. That's not fun.

Putting my focus on God, not me and living life to the fullest after a cancer diagnosis I find my hearts desire is to prepare for heaven. I must stop blaming others for who I am, turn from my ways and follow God's ways. When I go to heaven I'll be facing God alone. No one will be beside me to blame for my life choices.

May the desire of your heart teach you about God's unconditional love, forgiveness and freedom to just be you.